Israel Travel, Medical Help When Traveling in Israel

Are you fully covered when you "travel to Israel" or anywhere in the Middle East? Knowing these "How a Tourist Can Get Medical Help Traveling in Israel" may save you big bucks in a pinch! The rules for medical treatment when traveling abroad bring up some pretty important concerns. Depending on what country you reside at can make a big difference should you encounter a traveling medical mishap.

Today you will find helpful travel insurance information on the subject of Medical Insurance, Israel medical Doctors and Dentists emergency numbers, rules for travel Insurance to Israel, and some travel insurance pointers regarding your lost property. Don't let the worry of injury or worst, turn your Israeli vacation into a Middle eastern nightmare.

Your Medical Insurance While Traveling to Israel

Even as it's not required of travelers, health insurance is highly recommended. Most health care providers will cover you if you get sick when you are traveling away from home—but always check your particular coverage plan before jetting off to Israel! For overseas treatment, the majority of U.S health care plans (including Medicare and Medicaid) do NOT provide you with coverage, and the ones that do are more than likely going to require you to pay for services upfront and then get reimbursed only after your return home. Just to be safe, you might wish to purchase travel medical insurance; one reliable source is Travel Assistance International .

When considering your medical coverage while traveling to Israel, as a U.S. citizen, if you travel to a country that is on the State Departments warning list, most U.S. health Insurance policies are not required to cover you while in said country. This is not generally a problem when traveling to Jerusalem, but could become an issue for the traveler who goes into the West Bank or Gaza Strip (both are currently on the warning list as of 6/22/2011).

If you are from Canada, you should check with your provincial health plan offices to find out to what extent your Israeli vacation is covered. Knowing what documentation and receipts are required when you return home is important for recouping any cost you paid out during medical treatment in Israel.

Canadian Health plan Contacts:

• Health Canada (866) 225-0709
• www.hc-sc.gc.ca

If you are an U.K. resident and traveling into the Middle East (Israel) you need to carry your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which replaces the E111 form as proof of entitlement to free/reduced cost medical treatment abroad. You need to be aware that the EHIC only covers "necessary medical treatment," and for repatriation costs, lost money and baggage, and cancellation coverage, travel insurance from a reputable company should always be sought.

U.K Health Information Contacts:

• EHIC (0845) 606-2030
• www.ehic.org.uk

The cost for travel insurance can vary widely, all depending on your destination, the cost and length of the trip, your age and health, and of course the type of trip you're taking—a hunting safari where wresting wild African hogs is required will cost much more than a trip to Paris to see the new fall fashions. But as a general rule, expect to pay 5% to 8% of the vacation cost itself. A good source for cost comparisons and actual estimates from various providers can be found at InsureMyTrip.com.

U.K. citizens and their families that make more than one trip abroad in a year, may find that an annual policy comes out a little cheaper. Try moneySupermarket.com for comparisons pricing across a wide range of providers for single- and multi-trip policies.

Trip cancellation insurance generally covers such things as recouping your money if you have to back out of a trip, depart early, or if your travel provider goes out of business or claims bankruptcy. Traditionally trip cancellation insurance covers events like sickness, natural disasters, and U.S. State Department advisories.

It has happened to all of us at one time or another, lost property when traveling abroad. Two steps must be followed the minute you discover your things are missing:

1. Notify your credit card company(s) the second you realize your wallet, purse, or cards are missing. Credit card companies have an emergency toll-free number to call if your cards are lost or stolen; they may be able to wire you a cash advance immediately or get you an emergency credit card in a day or two.
2. File a report at the nearest police station

Emergency Credit Card Numbers in Israel:

• AMEX - (800) 940-3211
• VISA - (800) 941-6384
• MasterCard - (800) 941-8873

Some may say taking out travel insurance is simply a waste of money. I disagree. Protecting yourself and your family is a very important part of traveling abroad to Israel or any other country. Use the facts and advice you found here today and manage a healthy, safe, and worry free family vacation to the wonderful country of Israel. The joy you encounter is sure to heal whatever it is that ails you!

You should bookmark this for future reference!

~Shalom~